Catalyst Awarded National Lottery Heritage Fund Grant

Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum in Widnes has received initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to implement the Synergy Project, it was announced today. Made possible by National Lottery players, the project aims to make their heritage offer accessible to new and under-represented audiences in an exciting and meaningful way.

Development funding of £99,500 has been awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help Catalyst progress plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant at a later date.

The heritage of Widnes and the surrounding area is important for people to understand, not just the genesis but its relevance to the modern world and how it has shaped this area. Through co-creation, Catalyst plans to engage the community with the local heritage and use their vast archive to design and develop heritage programmes and exciting new, interactive exhibitions.

Historically, the North West and Widnes in particular, was perceived as an unpleasant, smelly industrial town, leading to feelings of mixed emotions about the heritage of the area. This project will allow Catalyst to provide a context and tell all the stories – the good and the bad. It will give people the opportunity to see this as part of their identity in a new light and raise pride in the area knowing its global significance and importance and how it has impacted the modern world.

Commenting on the award, Dr Lee Juby, CEO of Catalyst said “We’re delighted that we’ve received this support thanks to National Lottery players. The timing of this project is perfect as Catalyst has recently completed a significant scheme to refurbish its science offer. We are really looking forward to utilising our vast archive to co-create much richer and meaningful content to make the connections between our heritage and science.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

About Catalyst
As an independent charitable trust, Catalyst is the only science centre and museum in the UK dedicated to the science and technology behind the chemicals industry and its impact on our lives, past, present and future. Based in a Grade II listed Building in Widnes, where the chemical industry flourished for over 170 years, Catalyst holds a unique position as a museum, a national industrial archive and an educational resource. Through a range of interactive exhibits, workshops, science shows, historical talks and displays, we have been inspiring and educating people of all ages for over 30 years!

About the National Lottery Heritage Fund
National Lottery Heritage Fund grant applications over £250,000 are assessed in two rounds. The Synergy Project has initially been granted round one development funding of £99,500 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, allowing it to progress with its plans. Detailed proposals are then considered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund at second round, where a final decision is made on the full funding award of £810,500.

Using money raised by The National Lottery, we inspire, lead and resource the UKs heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

Since The National Lottery began in 1994, National Lottery players have raised over £43 billion for projects and more than 635,000 grants have been awarded across the UK.